Family Photo

My mom wanted us to take a family picture so she could do something with it for us for Christmas, but I kept putting it off and putting it off because I knew it would be a big deal. I'm very particular about how I look in pictures, and I was especially nervous about this one since Mom said it would be "displayed." We finally broke down and commited the evening to it. Of course Dale and Newton always look good, but I spent a half hour doing my hair and makeup and then trying to pick out coordinating clothes for Dale and I. Then the question was, where do we do this thing so we can set up the camera and put it on the timer and capture us both in position and smiling, and how would we get Newton to look at the camera? This became a big ordeal, and we finally came up with the "place a dog treat right in front of the camera and let Dale hold Newton still while Jamie runs into place and tries to staighten her bangs and shirt while trying to make Dale laugh so he has a good smile" idea. It worked pretty good, but I'd say we spent a good half hour taking pictures in two different locations and a few different poses, and we only ended up with three usable pictures out of the twenty we took. It was fun, I guess, but next time, maybe we'll spring for professional pictures, or at least a friend to come over and snap the photo:)